Hotfix for SolidWorks Student Design Kit expiry problem "This limited life version of SolidWorks has expired"

IMPORTANT NOTE

The expiry issue for new downloads of the SolidWorks Student Design Kit has been corrected - meaning the hotfix does not need to be applied if the software was downloaded on 15th January 2014 or later.

For students who downloaded and installed the SolidWorks Student Design Kit before 15th January 2014 and are having problems with premature expiry of the software, please install the hotfix following the instructions below.

If you are still having problems with premature expiry of the software after installing the hotfix, please email StudentEdition.Support@3ds.com to receive further instructions for an alternative solution.

We are aware of an issue where those users of the SolidWorks Student Design Kit (SDK) 2013-2014 who should still be entitled to use it, are seeing the following error message when launching SolidWorks after December 31 2013.

We apologize for any inconvenience this problem has caused, and have developed a hotfix to correct it.

Hotfix pre-requisites

You have installed SolidWorks Student Design Kit 2013-2014 (this hotfix will not work with earlier versions of the SolidWorks Student Design Kit).

Your actual Student Design Kit expiry date has not elapsed - this is either 365 days from receiving your serial number or December 31 2014, whichever comes first.

Hotfix installation instructions

1. Prepare you computer for hotfix installation

Verify in the Task Manager that sldworks.exe and sldworks_fs.exe processes aren’t running. To do this, open your Task Manager by pressing “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” at the same time and select Start Task Manager. You will then see the window below.

Next select the 2nd tab in the Task Manager labeled Processes

If either of the processes listed above are still running then select it and click “End Process”.

2. Determine your SolidWorks version and service pack

To do this, open your Windows Control Panel from the Start Menu, select the "Programs and Features" item, then locate SolidWorks in the list of programs. Make a note of the version and service pack number, then close the Control Panel window without making any changes.

SolidWorks 2013 [x64 Edition] SP02 = Version:2013, Service pack:02

SolidWorks 2013 [x64 Edition] SP03 = Version:2013, Service pack:03

3. Download and unzip the hotfix

Choose the correct hotfix version from the bottom of this forum post. It is important you download the correct version or it will not install.

After downloading it, unzip the contents of the .zip file - this will be a single .exe file.

4. Run the hotfix

Double-click on the hotfix sw201x_SP0x-SDK_HotFix.exe. A WinZip Self-Extractor should appear. Click “Unzip”.

A pop-up will appear confirming that the files have been extracted. Click “OK”.

A User Account Control pop-up will appear. Click “Yes”.

If the hotfix has been installed correctly you will see the message: "Your product(s) have been successfully patched."

SolidWorks Student Design Kit (SDK) 2013-2014 will now open and run properly.

Hotfix removal instructions

The hotfix must be removed before installing any newer versions of the SDK or Student Edition in the future.

Before removing the HotFix, please be sure to close any running sessions of SolidWorks.

Open your Windows Control Panel from the Start Menu, select the "Programs and Features" item, then locate the item SolidWorks Hotfix 752978 and click Uninstall.

Hotfix troubleshooting and FAQ

Error: None of the products defined in this hotfix are installed. Your system has not been modified.

It is likely you have downloaded the wrong hotfix version. Please double-check step 2 and 3 above

Error: Failed to patch a required Product

It is likely that sldworks.exe and/or sldworks_fs.exe are still running - this blocks the hotfix installation. Please double-check step 1 above.

I get the expiry error in the SolidWorks Student Design Kit 2012-2013 version, why is no hotfix available for that version?

UPDATED: In most cases the SolidWorks SDK 2012-2013 version correctly expired on 31 December 2013. The hotfix is not intended to extend that expiry date. Some schools have an extended SDK 2012-2013 license. If this applies to your school please email StudentEdition.Support@3ds.com for further instructions.

Is it necessary to install the hotfix on new installations of SolidWorks Student Design Kit 2013-2014 or is the hotfix already included in new downloads?

UPDATED: If the software was downloaded on 15th January 2014 or later then the hotfix is not required. Please refer to the note in the red box at the top of this forum post.

I was able to update my faculty version from sp02 to sp05, so you might want to warn people not to download any service packs after installing the download. I did try the hot fix for sp03 just in case, but it didn't work.

hi , this hotfix is still not working. i got this link from a solidworks staff after asking for help a week ago. im a student in the UK. i have been trying to find a telephone number for solidworks after trying to install it 3 times. after installing this hotfix the message : `None of the products defined in this hotfix are installed. your system has not been modified` comes up.

then the sldBgDwld message says ` An error was encountered: your serial number is invalid or has expired. An active subscription is required to download the files. contact support or update your subscription. fix the problem, if possible, and try resuming the download.

this is really getting on me. last year i bought the solidworks CD it cost quite a bit for a student like me (university) but i cant buy it again. so my tutor gave me an email who he received from solidworks so uni students can download it for free from the SEK webpage with a SDK ID. he said every other students used it and was ok but i cant.

before i did this i uninstalled the previous solidworks completely with every file and folder. but this problem still appeared.

iv uninstalled it 3 times and installed it again with different help links and now again with this hotfix and it still isnt working.